Authorizes the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes a position within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Appropriates funds for the position, programs, and interventions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the legislature, during education week, for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
HB 1069 would add two voting members to the School Facilities Authority Board: one representing the Department of Education and another representing the Board of Education. These members would serve ex officio (in their official roles) and have voting power on the board. The bill directly affects how the School Facilities Authority makes decisions about school construction and maintenance projects. This change modifies the board's composition but does not alter education funding or student policies. (Note: The bill passed committee in February 2025 but remains pending legislative action.)
Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes the position of Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Program Complex Area Superintendent. Requires that at least one at-large member of the Board of Education be a proficient Hawaiian speaking educator, practitioner, or scholar of Hawaiian studies or the Hawaiian language, to be selected from a list of three nominees submitted by the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Clarifies the purpose and objective of the Hawaiian Language Medium Education Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps to report incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
